Member News & Notes

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Griswold Home Care

BY COLIN HEFFINGER

Nobody wants to admit that they need care. The act of disregarding one’s individual pride and sense of stability is often a tremendous mountain to surmount. To admit to needing care can feel like surrendering your freedom, your independence, and even your dreams. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a huge sacrifice. Acknowledging these fears and preparing ahead can have a significant impact on quality of life, not just for the parent, but across all family members involved when emergency strikes. Griswold Home Care recognizes the importance of overcoming these fears and prioritizes providing compassionate home care for all their clients.

Griswold Home Care was founded in 1982 by Jean Griswold. It is the oldest non-medical home care franchise organization in America and stands out with its unique approach to care with heart and compassion. The characteristics that make Griswold Home Care unique are titled as their “Griswoldness,” derived directly from Jean Griswold and her visions for home care of the future.

“Addressing these fears of care is important,” explains Anne Eidschun, owner of Griswold Home Care in New Castle County. “Resistance is very real. Educating the family can help put the parent in control and guide their children on how to provide the best care. It’s important to prepare when you have your pride. It makes all the difference in choices and understanding.”

When it comes to home care, planning is a critical step to ensuring the best possible experience with a caregiver. “Setting expectations and getting to know the caregiver help both sides better understand how to provide the best care,” states Anne. “Creating a plan and schedule are critical to success. It’s important to plan instead of waiting and becoming reactionary.”

An important factor of preparing for home care focuses on the role of constructing a family plan of interaction for the parent. Depending on what health problems the parent may be facing, it can be challenging to stay engaged with interactions in their daily lives. This can lead to depression and unnecessary stress. By planning ahead, a caregiver can aid to help keep the parent engaged with their family – something that is undeniably and deeply rooted in their happiness. For both the parent and other family members, home care provides

numerous benefits. Taking care of a parent can be a demanding task – especially on top of maintaining work and life needs. Home care provides the opportunity for family member caregivers to destress and devote time to the things important in their lives; like their children, pets, passions, and even their own health. It also provides more quality time with the parent when it matters most. Since a caregiver is handling the care, there is more time and energy to share meaningful moments with the parent.

“A great tip to help better prepare caregivers is to provide a list of foods and hobbies that the parent enjoys,” explains Anne. “This helps a caregiver better understand the parent and create that spark of excitement during conversations. Developing trust between a caregiver and the parent help give the caregiver the space they need to provide the best care.”

“We can’t underestimate the importance of acknowledging these fears of the unknown,” Anne reflects. “During these times, the parent, family members, and caregivers are in their own emotional world. It’s important to confront these fears by planning and working with the caregiver. Sometimes our caregivers become part of the family. At Griswold Home Care, we will always value the connections created through our commitment to compassionate home care and the impact that it will have on the lives of our clients and their families.”

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Jobs for Delaware Graduates, Inc.

Jobs for Delaware Graduates (JDG) has been providing a hand up to students since 1979. The organization began as a pilot program under Governor Pete du Pont to prepare at-risk high school students for transition from school to work. Its model was developed to support students who were struggling academically with the education, skills, and resources that would help them become more successful.

“Students come to Jobs for Delaware Graduates from a variety of backgrounds. Many face barriers such as low income, a lack of occupational skills, poor academic performance, and poor school attendance,” said President Nicole Poore.

JDG works to deliver student-centered instruction that prepares youth to graduate high school and compete for scholarships, post-secondary education, advanced training, and career opportunities on a higher level.

As an approved Delaware Department of Education “Career Pathway” program, students receive weekly in-class instruction from a comprehensive curriculum based on 80 key employability areas. JDG’s curriculum director coordinates with business partners throughout the state, such as ChristianaCare and Del-One Federal Credit Union, to create content that is in line with what employers seek in a candidate. Skills can include critical thinking, customer service, entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, and financial planning. As a JDG participant, students can also meet with business leaders and tour facilities to see firsthand different career opportunities. These visits ultimately create meaningful connections that often result in a job after graduation.

Based on this idea of building relationships between employers and students, JDG established the Creating Opportunities Through Real Experiences (CORE) program, which provides students with hands-on training at a job site. In 2018, ChristianaCare became JDG’s first CORE partner, hosting four students for eight months and exposing them to clinical engineering, pharmacy, oncology, and rehabilitation services.

Based on this idea of building relationships between employers and students, JDG established the Creating Opportunities Through Real Experiences (CORE) program, which provides students with hands-on training at a job site. In 2018, ChristianaCare became JDG’s first CORE partner, hosting four students for eight months and exposing them to

Through CORE, more than 80 students have completed over 9,400 hours of job shadowing or internship training.

As part of a national program, Jobs for America’s Graduates, the JDG model is backed by the support of 40 state affiliates. Together, specialists and administration across the nation work in tangent to educate, empower, and employ the next generation of confident, prepared professionals.

Jobs for Delaware Graduates prepares students for more than a job, it prepares them for the future. While some graduates may be stuck thinking about whether they want to attend college or enter the workforce upon graduation, JDG graduates finish school with a plan and with the skills necessary to be successful. JDG shows that sometimes all it takes for someone to be successful is for someone to offer them a hand up. For parents or students who are interested in finding out more about Job for Delaware Graduates, reach out to your school’s guidance counselor and ask if JDG is offered.

DIVERSE SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: Vistage

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” This quote, coined by author and business consultant Ken Blanchard, couldn’t hold more meaning than it does for business leaders. Leadership development plays a critical role in everyday decisions no matter the size of your business. That’s where Vistage, a collection of privately-owned groups of peer-to-peer business advisory boards across 20 countries, shines brightest. Vistage’s advisory groups are led by expert executive coaches who provide one-on-one consultants, featured speakers, and business improvement workshops that operate like a think tank for business leaders to succeed.

Jim Lucas is the Vistage founder and chairman of 4 separate peer advisory boards of 15 to 20 members each stretching from Southern Chester County to Delaware. With 50 years of experience in sales, financial management, operations, and consulting, Jim has effectively coached over 150 executives from small businesses to companies exceeding billions in revenue. In 2017 and 2019, Jim’s Vistage groups were awarded the top 20 out of 600 Vistage Chairs worldwide.

“Vistage is about getting up on the vista and embracing the advantage of seeing the full picture beyond the trees,” Jim explains. “The challenge of small and medium-sized businesses is trying to visualize the future and filling the CEO role. Highly effective leaders are those who can step back and allow themselves to be vulnerable and open for feedback. Confidentiality is critical. Vistage provides the opportunity for business leaders to acquire candid feedback from different industries that share a common theme.”

“Businesses have two major resources: financial capital and human capital,” Jim continues. “Most of the time, business issues are related to team leaders and their team. Managing team culture and the ability to attract, select and develop the right people is a constant challenge for business leaders. It’s important to have the right people sitting in the right seats on the bus.”

Vistage provides group meetings monthly to offer a variety of speakers and topics for leadership development. Speaker sessions are an interactive space where business leaders are encouraged to share their experiences and learn from others. Workshops function like a team lab, providing the first half as conceptual points and the second half as methods to applying that knowledge to daily life. Vistage meetings also provide macro and micro information of key indicators of economic success across various major industries.

As a member subscription business, Vistage understands the importance of maximizing value for its members. Vistage conducts surveys each month about speaker quality, effectiveness, value, and so forth. This provides the opportunity to make changes as needed to best fit the needs of the groups and their individual business leaders. Interested business leaders can reach out to Jim Lucas by calling 410-302-2500 or emailing Jim.Lucas@vistagechair. com. Go to www. brandywinepeeradvisory boards.com for more information.

“I spent 8 years in the military and have been involved in leadership since I was 17,” Jim reflects. “No matter how you get it, I’m all for leadership development. If it happens to be Vistage – that’s great. There’s a lot of ways to become a leader and that’s what we want in the Brandywine Valley, the state, the country and the world. The pandemic has really shown us what kind of leaders we want to follow.”

State Chamber Awards Gilman Bowl to David F. Lyons, Sr.

In a surprise announcement at the 22nd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business virtual awards celebration, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce posthumously awarded the esteemed Gilman Bowl to David F. Lyons, Sr. His wife, Catharine N. Lyons accepted the award with her sons, David Jr. and Timothy by her side.

The Gilman Bowl was established as a tribute to small business leadership. It is named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman, who served as an exemplary leader and a paragon of small business in Delaware. The identity of the recipient of the Gilman Bowl was held confidential until its presentation at the awards ceremony.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Gilman Bowl on David’s behalf. He had an instinct for leadership and inspired us all with big ideas and the ability to make things happen,” said Ms. Lyons upon accepting the award.

David Lyons founded Lyons Companies in 1984 in the back of his father’s dental office. Over the last three decades, Mr. Lyons built the company to be one of the region’s largest independent and privately held risk management and insurance brokerage firms. Through the years, Lyons Companies has guided businesses through the roller coaster of recessions, dips in the market, and periods of substantial growth. The company now boasts 50-plus employees and a nationally recognized insurance advisory practice. His hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit truly embodied the American Dream.

Mr. Lyons devoted his extraordinary energy and abilities to improving the community around him. In addition to his service as a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Delaware, he chaired the Board of Trustees of the Delaware Council on Economic Education, where he founded the “Economic Forecast” event, bringing national economic policymakers together with business leaders in an annual forum covered by the national press.

“One of the most powerful tools an individual can provide others is education. To that end, David Lyons Sr. was devoted to educating both children and adults about economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship via his involvement as chairman of the Delaware Council on Economic Education (DCEE) and partner of the UD Center for Economic Education (CEEE),” states Carlos Asarta, president

of the DCEE and director of the CEEE. “Thanks to his personal support, the DCEE/CEEE is now able to reach more than two thousand educators a year who, in turn, provide an effective education to hundreds of thousands of students with the ultimate goal of seeing them graduate as economically literate and productive citizens.”

David was active in the Delaware Business Roundtable, advocating for sensible policies to encourage job creation and business growth in Delaware, serving as vice chairman from 2014 to 2018. He chaired the Garrett Lyons Dental Fellowship for Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. In 2016, Mr. Lyons ran and served as mayor of Henlopen Acres. He was also a member of the Tatnall School’s Board of Trustees and chaired New Castle County Ducks Unlimited.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists to Transform the Future of Healthcare PROVIDED BY ASTRAZENECA

As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca seeks to leverage its reach, scale and expertise to effect real change in our communities and society. To continue transforming the lives of millions of patients around the world, AstraZeneca supports the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers through contribution to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum provided to current students and practitioners.

This past fall, AstraZeneca and its partners Learning Undefeated and Discovery Education celebrated the first anniversary of its STEM program, Generation Health: How Science Powers Us. This three-year initiative is designed to make learning about health and disease engaging, accessible, and exciting for students in grades 6-8, primarily in under-resourced schools across the country.

Generation Health provides handson, standards-aligned STEM learning activities where students investigate both preventative measures and innovative solutions to key health concerns in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease. Through the initiative’s website alone, more than 1 million students have been engaged in its first year alone. The program provides a suite of educational resources, including,

Learning Undefeated’s Drop Anywhere Labs, custom-outfitted STEM learning spaces built from modified shipping containers. These light, easy-to-access and inexpensive labs provide a range of career and skills education for middle school students, as well as flexible in-classroom resources that empower teachers and enables them to serve up to four classes simultaneously.

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classroom education across the United States, as well as around the world, AstraZeneca and its partners created and distributed at-home science kits to high school biology students in Maryland to help enhance their online curriculum with hands-on, practical exposure to subject matter through observation and experimentation. This year, AstraZeneca, working with stakeholders in the community, will send 1,000 kits to students in Delaware.

AstraZeneca is proud of the progress it has made on behalf of STEM education but recognizes that there is far more to be done. The company remains committed to continuing this momentum and leveraging its global reach to elevate science across many channels and to make STEM education accessible to all.

To learn more about the Generation Health program, visit www.HowScience PowersUs.com.

Support our Local Restaurants

BY CARRIE LEISHMAN

As the Delaware restaurant and hospitality industry has been – and continues to be – the most disproportionately affected industry through the COVID-19 pandemic, our dedicated operators and industry workers continue to stay both resilient yet hopeful. Restaurants will stay standing and remain as the cornerstones of our communities through these times to feed our tireless frontline workers, to pridefully cook for our vulnerable neighborhood elders, to cater your next holiday meal with family, and to safely welcome you in for dinner with open arms.

As a society now and more than ever, we need restaurants to stay open and thrive. The positive psychological and economic impact created by reopening restaurants in Delaware lifts us all up and creates the stability that our communities need. Restaurants and their employees shouldered the most devastating financial effects of this crisis – sending three out of four workers to unemployment – at a loss of nearly 30,000 jobs.

2020 was headed to be a pivotal year for our restaurants in Delaware, but instead, it was pivotal in other ways. The Delaware restaurant industry was projected to heavily evolve and reach $2.2 billion in annual sales. Seven months into the pandemic, the restaurant industry faced an estimated more than $850 million in losses, a number that is sure to grow due to the winter restrictions.

Thankfully, it is the very nature of people in the hospitality industry to embrace the challenges dealt. As we prepare for an unprecedented future (with a lot of hesitation and just a splash of fear), we are certain that these obstacles allowed our industry to advance overnight – implementing quick solutions that may have taken years of organic transition under normal circumstances. Trolley Square, Newark, and downtown Wilmington promptly shifted focus and allowed for a safe and vibrant alternative with on-street dining campaigns. Streets were shut down, alfresco dining tables were added, and live music united outdoor diners and community supporters.

We now see restaurants across the nation implementing ‘socially distant’ greenhouses to ensure safety for their outdoor dining experience. Tech savvy restaurateurs are now able to explore eco-friendly options to limit costs, such as using digital QR codes in place of disposable or reusable menus, and allowing diners to pay on mobile devices, without contact or paper receipts. Prior to COVID-19, one out of 20 orders were done digitally. Now, one out of five orders are digital. Food is now extremely accessible and allows vulnerable or hesitant civilians the option for contactless delivery/curbside pickup. COVID-19 allowed our operators a once in-a-lifetime opportunity to innovate and emerge in ways they may have never had the occasion or time to consider before.

The Delaware restaurant industry’s commitment to continuously give back and do right by their neighbors, communities, and people who come through their doors is what humbles us to keep advocating and shifting in this ‘never normal.’

As we enter 2021, there are an abundance of “what if’s?,” left unanswered. We choose to stay optimistic that there will be beneficial changes to come from 2020’s challenges – and that our restaurateurs and operators will continue to fight, to conquer and to rise above these adversities.

What we know for certain is that we’ll continue to work tirelessly to help ensure the longevity of your favorite family-owned neighborhood pizzerias, the coffee and bagel shop you’re not sure how you’d get by without, the phenomenal woman-owned corner bakery, your favorite go-to bistro perfect for any celebration, and for our entire beloved community of restaurant owners that support a workforce of over 49,000 Delawareans. As we move forward, now is the time for our communities to come together to embrace change, learn, evolve, and unite in helping to support and save our local restaurants.

Carrie Leishman is the president & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association.

Join the Conversation, Join a State Chamber Committee

BY TYLER MICIK

Advocating for Delaware’s business community – YOU! To the State Chamber this is more than just a phrase. It’s our mission. But in order to be successful in that mission we need to hear from you. Every member large or small has a voice, and our voice is stronger together. Our committees are your opportunity to be heard, learn about policies and issues that affect you, play an active role in shaping legislation, and to connect with other industry leaders.

In 2021, the State Chamber will be expanding and reengaging our nine committees. Our committees serve as the State Chamber’s policy incubator and idea generator. To generate great ideas, we need active volunteers – you. That’s why we have and are working to increase diversity and participation across the state on our committees.

The Ready in 6 Initiative is proof that ideas are born and progress emanates when great minds meet to discuss the issues affecting their businesses. That’s the task our committees are faced with in 2021. To be proactive and not just reactive. To talk not only about current policies but to also discover and identify the hidden day-to-day problems your businesses are facing on a variety of topics such as hiring/ retraining, workforce development, health care, the environment, and taxes to name a few.

Also new in 2021, will be the addition of our technology committee. It goes without saying but technology has become increasingly important and is vital to the way we live and work. The technology committee will focus on issues such as data privacy/ security, IT training/development, and automation.

In addition to greater diversity and participation, our goal is to give our members a more significant voice and greater communication. This begins by having regularly scheduled meetings as well as redesigning the committees’ section on our website. Our priority is you and our mission, to lead the conversation, generate new ideas and create change that benefits you, our members and your employees.

Exciting things are happening within our committees as we begin 2021. Join the conversation by participating on a State Chamber committee.

To get involved, contact Tyler Micik at tmicik@dscc.com.

Goldey-Beacom College Finds its Place in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conversation

BY JANINE G. SORBELLO

Many people will agree that it takes a few uncomfortable conversations to open a dialogue about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as centuries-long injustices suffered because of race, gender, sexual orientation and much more. However, I believe this is exactly what civil rights leader and Georgia’s U.S. House of Representative member John Lewis meant when he referred to “getting into good trouble.”

As business, government, nonprofit and education leaders work to systematize a message of DEI into our culture, it is clear that some organizations must start from the beginning. Goldey- Beacom College was no exception, and it is still a work in progress.

Last fall, the College launched a strategic planning process with Credo, a firm specializing in strategic planning for higher education. Among hundreds of suggestions and requests for new initiatives, an overwhelming majority of the campus community expressed the need for focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

First, we had to ask ourselves – what is diversity, equity and inclusion, and what does it mean for the College? Every business and organization should ask these questions and align the answers with its own vision, mission stakeholders and customers. For GBC, the Doctor of Business Administration program provided the catalyst to start a formal conversation.

When the DBA program was launched in fall 2018, a strong DEI component was built into the program. “It was my personal and professional goal to create the most diverse DBA program in the region, not only from the perspective of the students but the professors as well,” said Dr. Dan Young, director of the DBA program.

As part of the curriculum, the DBA program partners with local and national companies to problem solve complex business issues. While a group of individuals can solve problems, it takes diversity as well as experience and knowledge to create effective and lasting change. This is why diversity is a major focus for recruiting students and professors. As a result, of the 42 people in the DBA program, approximately 16 are of African-American descent and 12 are international students.

The College also created BRAVE Conversations, a Zoom series designed to provide a safe space for all employees and students to join an open conversation with guest speakers who share their personal experiences. Recent guests included: U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester, the Honorable Joshua W. Martin III, senior counsel at Potter Anderson Corroon LLP, and Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University.

Each guest took us on an amazing journey. We listened intently, sometimes with jaws dropped, to the injustices they endured. They made us laugh and cry. But the common theme among all – they all willingly share their stories to provide a message of hope for the future. Jocelyn Moses, director of residence and student life, and Dr. Dan Young lead the BRAVE Conversations series.

“It was my personal and professional goal to create the most diverse DBA program in the region, not only from the perspective of the students but the professors as well.”

— Dr. Dan Young

Goldey-Beacom College also recently created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce, a Black Student Union (BSU), and a chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Moving forward, the College plans to expand its course offering to create COM 351 – Hip Hop, Culture and Society. Next on the horizon, we will explore Black fraternities and sororities.

As we continue our journey toward a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all students and employees, we will listen with open ears and love with open hearts. And this is how we will make an impact on future generations.

Janine Sorbello is director of external affairs at Goldey- Beacom College.

Macy’s Continues to Serve its Customers

PROVIDED BY MACY’S

We’re always listening to our customers to help shape the shopping experience at Macy’s. We’re committed to ensuring the experience is always easy and convenient – meeting her where she is and how she likes to shop.

The 2020 holiday season certainly felt and looked very different for many this year, but we were set on bringing the joy of the season to America as we do every year. From the Thanksgiving Day Parade to reimagined family gatherings, we wanted to help our customers and their families celebrate in style.

Part of that, was providing convenient delivery options to help customers shop safely and friction-free. This included contact-free curbside pickup or buy online and pick-up at the Macy’s closest to home.

And our new partnership with DoorDash allowed us to quickly provide same-day delivery from more than 500 of our Macy’s and Bloomingdales stores nationwide, spanning across 47 states.

So whether our customer was a holiday planner or a last-minute shopper, Macy’s provided shipping and pickup options for everyone.

The landscape of retail is constantly changing and it will continue to even after the pandemic. We will continue to have the opportunity to evolve our business to meet the needs of our customers.

We are proud to be America’s Department Store, an iconic brand and retail industry leader. Macy’s customers come to our stores, macys. com, and mobile app for fashion, value, and high-quality products. We will always be proud of our heritage and the unique role we play in American culture, tradition and in our local communities.

Delaware Businesses Show Resiliency During Pandemic and are Optimistic About the Future

BY STEVE CLARK

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused Delaware and surrounding states to lock down last spring, many local businesses of all sizes were directly impacted.

Some businesses needed to pivot on short notice to safely keep their doors open and provide customers with the products and services they expected. Others planned for when they could open again under much different guidelines than before.

They leaned on their strengths and relationships to make it all work, and we can all learn from how they did it.

Changing with customers’ needs

Early in the pandemic, many Delaware businesses changed what they produced or sold. Manufacturers began making masks, distilleries switched to making hand sanitizer.

Dining establishments pivoted to change their offerings, whether they adjusted their menus for a better take out experience or shifted to become a curbside, local grocery.

These changes to business models helped keep cash flowing into businesses, and two-thirds (67%) of Delaware businesses surveyed in a WSFS Bank study experienced growth due to operations changes.

Making changes like these on the fly is not easy. Business leaders had to dig deep, finding the right mix that worked for short and long-term needs.

Adapting with the present and future in mind

Operational changes made by businesses largely contribute to a positive outlook heading into 2021.

During the pandemic, most businesses (88%) throughout the region changed the way they operate, and nearly all of them (89%) plan to retain their new operating models.

The survey also revealed that nearly half (46%) of businesses in the region said their bank helped them get loans during the pandemic, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and four in 10 (41%) reported that their bank offered loan deferrals.

These options helped open cash flow for businesses to get the goods and services needed to operate in a constantly changing environment.

Resiliency leads to optimism

As they looked at future challenges that may impact their businesses, leaders felt previous experiences, the ability to pivot and preparedness leave them well equipped to handle a pandemic resurgence.

More than eight in 10 (84%) of Delaware business leaders feel good about the economic outlook heading into 2021, and nearly three-quarters (73%) are bullish on the employment situation. Overall, this optimism is felt by businesses of all sizes that were surveyed ($1 million - $50 million in revenues).

Delaware business leaders feel confident in their personal and professional outlooks, too. Ninety-five percent of Delaware business leaders feel they have been resilient through the challenges of COVID-19, and 89% have adapted well.

Business leaders recognize the challenges ahead, but their nimbleness, relationships and new operational models have nine in 10 (91%) feeling prepared to weather another storm.

For Delaware communities, this is a welcome source of strength as we head into 2021.

Steve Clark joined WSFS Bank in 2002 and has served as executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer since May 2016. He received his MBA in Finance from Widener University and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Delaware.